brown



No. 610,893. Patented Sept. 20, I898.

W. H. BROWN.

EXCELSIOB MACHINE.

(Application filed. Mar. 15, 1898.; (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shaet l.

Patented Sept. 20, I898.

. w. H. BROWN.

EXCELSIUR MACHINE. (Applicatiofl filed Mar 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Ptented Sept. 20, I898. w. H. BROWN.

EXGELSIOR MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 15, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Shae? 3.

(N0 Model.)

PATENT FFICZE.

IVILLIAM II. BRONVN, OF ALPENA, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-IIALF TODONALD LE ROY, OF SAME PLACE.

EXCELSIOR- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersllaten t N 0. 610,893, datedSeptember 20, 1898. Application filed March 15, 1898. Serial No.673,982. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Alpena, in the county of Alpena and State of Michigan, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Excelsior-Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for making excelsior; and it consistsinthe peculiar and advantageous construction hereinafter described, andparticularly pointed out in the claims appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isa perspective view of myimproved machine complete, with one of the gear-cases partly brokenaway. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail section taken in the plane indicatedby the line a: 00 of Fig. 1 and illustrating some parts which areomitted from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken in the planeindicated by the line 10 w of Fig. 1, with the rotary cutter inelevation. Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken in the plane indicatedby the line y 'y of Fig. 1, with the feed-roll in elevation. Fig. 5 isan enlarged detail section taken in the plane indicated by the line 2 zof Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail transverse section taken 011 the line at nof Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail enlarged section taken in the plane indicated by the line m m of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectiontaken in the plane indicated by the line 0 0 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 9 is adetail enlarged section illustrating the manner in which the slidablejournal-boxes of the movable feed-rolls are connected with the mainframe and also with the inner members of toggle-levers.

In the said drawings similar letters designate corresponding parts inall of the several views, referring to which A designates thebed-timbers of my improved machine, and B designates parallel mainframe-sections, which are preferably of cast-iron and are suitablyconnected to the bed-timbers. These frame-sections B are de signed toreceive a reciprocatory cutter-head 0 between them, and they aretherefore provided adjacent to their opposite ends with guide-blocks aand slide-blocks b, of wood or other suitable material, the'blocks abeing adapted to engage the sides of the cutterhead, so as to guide thesame in its movements, and the blocks 1) beingadapted to bear againstthe under side of said head and form a slide-rest for the same. Theblocks a b are arranged in pockets 0 d, respectively, and serve to holdthe reciprocatory cutter-head free from the frame-sections, and therebyprevent heating of the parts when the machine is in operation and at thesame time form spaces between the cutter-head and frame-sections for theescape of dust. They also serve, as better shown in Figs. 1 and 8,

to hold the cutter-head so that its upper side is flush with the upperedges of the framesections. This is advantageous because it enablesthecutters on the head to run close to the feed-rolls presentlydescribed and make more excelsior out of the stock and also because itpermits of slivers, dust, and the like being readily swept off themachine. For the purpose of taking up wear when necessary the blocks a bare backed by screws 6 f after the manner better shown in Fig. 8.

As better shown in Fig. 1, the cutter-head O is provided with twoopeningsg at opposite sides of its'imiddle and also with twohorizontally-disposed knife-blades D and two rotary cutters E. Theblades D are countersunk in the head, with their beveled cutting edgespresented toward the middle thereof and overhanging the openings 9, andthey are adjustably connected to said head preferably by screws h, whichtake through their slots 7 as illustrated. The rotary cutters E, whichoccupy the openings gin the cutterhead, respectively comprise a shaft jand a plurality of cutting-disks 7c and spacingwashers Z, suitablysecured on said shaft.

JAt their ends the shafts j of the rotary cutters E are journaled inbearing-blocks m, (see Figs. 3 and 7,) which are connected by screws nwith plates 19, countersunk in the upper side of the cutter-head.Consequently it will be seen that said bearing-blocks m may be readilyadj nsted to take up wear of the cutter-disks and may also bedisconnected from the cutter-head when it is desired to remove therotary cutter-heads therefrom for any purpose.

As will be readily observed in Figs. 1 and 2, the horizontally-disposedcutting-blades D are arranged flush with the upper side of thereciprocatory cutter-head. This is advantageous because it permits ofthe blades being easily set and enables them to out easily and smoothlyand at the same time prevents them from interfering with the placementof the blocks of stock between the feed-rolls.

F designates the stationary feed rolls, which are journaled in boxes q,fixed upon the frame-sections B and are arranged adjacent to the middleof the machine, and G designates the movable feed-rollers, which arejournaled in boxes 1', movable upon the framesections, said boxes rbeing preferably connected to the frame-sections by screws 8, which takethrough their slots 25, as better shown in Fig. 9. Connected in apivotal manner to the movable journal-boxes r are the inner members 11,of the toggle-levers H, the outer members 11 of which are pivotallyconnected to the frame-sections B, as shown. These inner and outermembers of the toggle-levers are pivotally connected at their inv nerends by transverse rods 20, which are provided with arms 00 and areconnected with the frame-sections B by coiled springs y, the saidsprings being adapted to draw the inner and outer members of thetoggle-levers downwardly and thereby move the movable feedrolls towardthe stationary rolls, and being also adapted to normally hold thetogglelever members in the position shown in Fig. 1 and thereby enablethe movable feed-rolls, in conjunction with the stationary rolls, toclamp and securely hold the blocks of stock that are to be reduced toexcelsior. When blocks of stock are to be interposed between the movableand stationary feed-rolls, it is necessary to raise the inner ends ofthe members of the toggle-levers and move the movable rolls in adirection away from the stationary rolls. To this endIprovide thehandlevers I, which are fulcrumed on one framesection and are looselyconnected at one end to the arms m of the transverse rods w, as shown.When the free ends of these levers I are moved downwardly from theposition shown in Fig. 1, the rolls G will be moved a slight distance ina direction away from rolls F, and when said levers I are released thesaid rolls F will by the action of the springs y be returned to theposition shown, and in consequence the levers will be caused to resumetheir illustrated normal position. From this it follows that blocks ofstock '5. e., wood-may be quickly and easily clamped between the rolls Gand the rolls F and that said rolls are capable of holding the blocks ofstock while the same are being reduced to excelsior by the blades D androtary cutters E of the cutter-head.

In order to prevent jar of the cutter-head C and reciprocate it in astraight line, so as to enable its blades D and rotary cutters E to cutevenly, I connect said cutter-head with the actuating-motor (not shown)through the medium of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2. This mechanismcomprises a lever J, which is fulcrumedat one end, a pitman K, connectedto the lever J at an intermediate point of its length and adapted to beconnected with the steam-engine or other motor, and a pitman L,interposed between the opposite end of the lever and the cutter-head.When the lever J is rocked to and fro by the motor, it will, through themedium of the pitman L, reciprocate the cutter-head without jar andwithout any tendency to move it out of a.

straight line.

In order to rotate the rolls F G to feed the blocks of stock down uponthe knife-blades and rotary cutters of the cutter-heads, I providemechanism intermediate of the rocking lever J and the feed-rolls, asfollows:

Fixed on the rolls F G at one end are gearwheels at, and journaled insuitable hearings on one of the frame-sections B are feed-shafts b 19each of which carries a worm-gear c, which is fixed to it, and aworm-gear 0 which is connected to it by a spline, as shown, the saidworm-gears c c meshing with the gearwheels 0. of the stationary andmovable feedrolls, respectively, and having their threads pitched, asshown, so as to enable the stationary and movable feed-rolls to move theblocks of stock between them downwardly as is necessary. he worm-gearsbeing connected with the shafts b I) by splines, it follows that theywill turn with said shafts, and yet are free to move longitudinally uponthe same when the movable. feed-rolls are adjusted. In addition to theworm-gears the feed-shafts U17 are provided with ratchet-wheels d,whichare keyed or otherwise fixed upon them, and arms e, which are looselymounted upon them over the ratchet wheels and carry dogs f, adapted toengage said ratchet-wheels, as better shown in Fig. 5. These arms 6 arepreferably formed of steel in the manner shown in Fig. 5 and areprovided in their opposite side walls with'longitudinal slots 9', inwhich rest bolts 77/, having a head i at one end and their opposite endsthreaded for the reception of hand-wheels j, as better shown in-Figs. 5and 6. The said bolts 71 are straddled by straps 7c, and between theends of said straps are arranged the upper ends of pitmen Z, which arepivotally connected to said straps 7c and are connected at their lowerends through the medium of ball-and-socket joints e with the oppositeends of a lever m, mounted to rock in a vertical plane. On one of thetrunnions of said lever m an arm n is fixed, and between said arm andthe lever J a pitman p is interposed, as shown in Fig. 1. In virtue ofthis construction it will be observed that when the machine is inoperation the lever mwill rock in concert with the lever J, and that inconsequence the shafts b b will be alternately rotated in the directionindicated by arrow. It will also be noted that the shaft 1) will berotated only when the cutter-head O is moving toward the right and theknife-blade D to the left is idle and that the shaft 5 will be rotatedonly when the cutter-head O is moving toward the left and theknife-blade D to the right is idle. In virtue of this the downward feedof each block of stock will take place when the knife below it has leftthe end of the block moving backward, so as to prevent friction on theknifeblade, and each block of stock will be securely held againstmovement when the knife-blade below it is making a forward cuttingstroke. This, as will be readily appreciated, insures uniformity in thethickness of the strips taken from the blocks of stock by theknife-blades and enables said blades to better perform their function.

IVhen it is desired to increase or diminish the thickness of the stripstaken from the blocks of stock by the knife-blades D, it is simplynecessary to increase or diminish the throw of the arms 6 on thefeed-shafts 17 12 This may be readily done by adjusting the bolts h inthe slots of the arms d, the said bolts being adj ustably fixed in thearms by the hand-wheels j, as better shown in Fig. 6.

As will be readily observed by reference to Fig. 1, the ball-and-socketjoints between the pitmen Z Z and lever m, the pivotal connectionbetween said pitmen and the straps 7a, and the loose connection betweensaid straps and the bolts h will insure a free movement of the parts nomatter to what extent the bolts h are adjusted.

For the purpose of preventing dirt and dust from getting into andinterfering with the gearing the several gear-wheels on the feedrollsare inclosed in cases M, the said cases being connected with the journal-boxes of the rolls, as best shown in Fig. 4:.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is 1. In anexcelsior-machine, the combination of a main frame, a reciprocatorycutterhead, rotary cutter-heads and oppositely-arranged cutting-bladescarried by said head, stationary feed-rolls journaled in bearings fixedon the frame and carrying gear-wheels, movable feed-rolls journaled inbearings movable on the frame and also carrying gearwheels, independent,alined feed-shafts journaled in bearings at one side of the main frameand each having a fixedly-connected worm-gear meshing with thegear-wheel of one stationary roll and a splined worm-gear meshing withthe gear-wheel of one movable roll, ratchet-wheels fixed on thefeed-shafts, arms loosely mounted on the shafts and carryin g pawls inengagement with the ratchetwheels, a lever fulcrumed at an intermediatepoint of its length, connections between the opposite ends of said leverand the arms, and a suitable means for rocking said lever,whereby thefeed-shafts are alternately actuated, substantially as specified.

2. In an excelsiormachine, the combination of a main frame, areciprocatory cutterhead, stationary feed-rolls j ournaled in bearingsfixed on the frame and carrying gearwheels, movable feed-rolls jonrnaled in bearings movable on the frame and also carrying gear-wheels,feed-shafts journaled in bearings on the main frame and each having afixedlyconnected worm gear meshing with the gear-wheel of one stationaryroll and a splined worm-gear meshing with the gearwheel of one movableroll, ratchet-wheels fixed on the shafts, arms loosely mounted on theshafts and carrying pawls in engagement with the ratchet-wheels, a leverfulcrumed at an intermediate point of its length, pitmen connected atone end to the opposite ends of the lever and having their upper endsadjustably connected to the arms on the feedshafts whereby they may befixed at various distances from said shafts, and a suitable means forrocking the said lever, substantially as specified.

3. In an excelsior-machine, the combination of a main frame, areciprocatory cutter head, on oscillatory lever connected with thecutter-head and adapted to be connected with a motor, feed-rolls journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame, two feed-shaftsjournaled on the main frame and each connected by gearing with twofeed-rolls, ratchet-wheels fixed on said shafts, arms loosely mounted onthe shafts and carrying pawls in engagement with the ratchet-wheels, alever fulcrumed at an intermediate point of its length and having itsends connected with the arms on the feed-shafts, and a connectionbetween said lever and the oscillatory lever, substantially asspecified. I

4. In an excelsior-machine, the combination of the main frame-sectionshaving the pockets 0 d at intervals in their length, a reciprocatorycutter-head, of less width than the space between the frame sections,arranged between the said sections and having its upper side flush withthe upper edges thereof, guide-blocks arranged in the pockets 0 of theframe sections and extending inwardly beyond said frame-sections andengaging the side edges of the cutter -head whereby the cutter-headisheld free from the frame-sections and spaces formed between the headand frame-sections for the escape of dust, bearing-blocks arranged inthe pockets d of the frame-sections and disposed below and formingslide-rests for the cutter-head, and adj listing-screws backing theguide and bearing blocks, substantially as specified.

5. In an excelsior-machine, the combination of a main frame, areciprocatory cutterhead, a stationary feed-roll j ournaled in suit ablebearings on the main frame, a movable feed-roll, bearing-boxes carryingsaid movable roll and adjustably connected with the main frame, atoggle-lever comprising an outer member connected with the main frame,and inner members connected to the adjust able bearing-boxes andpivotally connected In testimony whereof I have hereunto set to theouter member, a spring connected with my hand in presence of twosubscribing wit- 1 the toggle-lever and frame and adapted to nesses.exert a downward ull on said lever and suit- 5 able means for fie zingthe toggle-lever and XVILLIAM thereby moving the movable feed-ro11 in a.Witnesses: direction away from the stationary r011, sub- JAMES BOWDEN,stantially as specified. LESTER V. SKILLINGS.

